Democrats in the US Senate abandon a fight over a government spending bill combining close to $1.3tn of unfinished budget proposals.

A Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up an airliner with a bomb sewn into his underwear last December is arraigned on new charges in the US.

The Lebanese army says it has dismantled two Israeli spy systems planted in the mountains above Beirut following a tip-off from Hezbollah.

Two men accused of involvement in the deadly attack on Togo's football team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in January go on trial in Angola.

The Red Cross told US diplomats about widespread torture of prisoners in Indian-administered Kashmir, according to cables obtained by Wikileaks.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange says a "smear campaign" is being mounted against him, and vows to continue disclosing material on his website.

Japanese police arrest a man after a knife attack outside a train station that left at least 13 people injured.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is due to begin a official visit of Pakistan, aimed at improving military and trade ties.